Patents by Inventor Craig Willkens

Craig Willkens has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8193469
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Coorstek, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20110253696
    Abstract: New ceramic resistive igniter elements are provided that comprise one or more portions provided with one or more surface patterns to thereby modify the electrical pathway and, further, modify the resistance in the one or more portions. New methods for fabricating resistive igniter elements are also provided wherein one or more surface patterns are provided, for example post densification, wherein the surface pattern(s) modify the electrical pathway through the elements as compared with the electrical pathway prior to disposition of the surface pattern(s). In particular, one or more interruptions are provided in the electrical pathway of an element such that the electrical pathway is modified and, further the resistance through the element is modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Hanagan, Thomas Sheridan, Craig Willkens
  • Publication number: 20100035747
    Abstract: A ceramic material formed from a mixture including between about 50 wt % and about 85 wt % of a first zirconia-based material comprising between about 2 mol % and about 6 mol % yttria and between about 5 wt % and about 50 wt % of a second zirconia-based material comprising not greater than about 1 mol % yttria. The mixture can further include between about 1 wt % and about 10 wt % of an alumina material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Qiang Zhao, Richard A. Gorski, Oh-Hun Kwon, Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20080314890
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20080145672
    Abstract: New methods are provided for manufacture ceramic elements that include injection molding of two, three or more distinct ceramic layers or regions that form the element. Ceramic elements also are provided that are obtainable from fabrication methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Taehwan Yu, Suresh Annavarapu
  • Publication number: 20080116192
    Abstract: The invention provides new methods for manufacture ceramic resistive heating elements that include forming a heating element body comprising comprises two or more regions of differing resistivity, and processing a portion of the element body to form a heating element. Heating elements such as igniters and glow plugs also are provided obtainable from fabrication methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Suresh Annavarapu, Taehwan Yu, Norman P. Arsenault, Craig A. Willkens
  • Patent number: 7329837
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20070295709
    Abstract: In one aspect, ceramic resistive heating elements are provided that comprise three or more electrically segregated conductive zones. In another aspect, ceramic heating elements are provided that comprise a plurality of conductive zones, wherein only a portion of the conductive zones pass current during use of the heating element. In a further aspect, heating elements of the invention can be readily modified to operate at a variety of voltages. The multiple conductive zones can provide extended heating element operating lifetimes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig Willkens
  • Patent number: 7195722
    Abstract: Ceramic igniter compositions are provided that contain components of conductive material and insulating material, where the insulating material component includes a relatively high concentration of metal oxide. Ceramic igniters of the invention are particularly effective for high voltage use, including throughout the range of from about 187 to 264 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Lin, Craig A. Willkens, Kevin C. Solofra, Thomas J. Sheridan
  • Publication number: 20060201925
    Abstract: New methods are provided or manufacture ceramic resistive igniter elements that include extrusion of one or more layers of the formed element. Ceramic igniters also are provided that are obtainable from fabrication methods of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc
    Inventors: Taehwan Yu, Suresh Annavarapu, Norman Arsenault, Craig Willkens, Thomas Sheridan
  • Patent number: 6989048
    Abstract: A particulate filter for purifying exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a diesel engine, comprises a filtering body and heating elements for initiating combustion of soot particles accumulated on and in the filtering body. The heating elements comprise at least a hot spot ceramic ignitor (3). The invention is applicable in the automotive industry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Centre de Recherches et d'Etudes Europeen
    Inventors: Sébastien Bardon, Craig Willkens
  • Publication number: 20040025500
    Abstract: A particulate filter for purifying exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine, in particular of a diesel engine, comprises a filtering body and heating elements for initiating combustion of soot particles accumulated on and in the filtering body. The heating elements comprise at least a hot spot ceramic ignitor (3). The invention is applicable in the automotive industry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: Sebastien Bardon, Craig Willkens
  • Publication number: 20030160220
    Abstract: Ceramic igniter compositions are provided that contain components of conductive material and insulating material, where the insulating material component includes a relatively high concentration of metal oxide. Ceramic igniters of the invention are particularly effective for high voltage use, including throughout the range of from about 187 to 264 volts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: Saint-Gobain Industrial Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Lin, Craig A. Willkens, Kevin C. Solofra, Thomas J. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 6582629
    Abstract: Ceramic igniter compositions are provided that contain components of conductive material and insulating material, where the insulating material component includes a relatively high concentration of metal oxide. Ceramic igniters of the invention are particularly effective for high voltage use, including throughout the range of from about 187 to 264 volts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger J. Lin, Craig A. Willkens, Kevin C. Solofra, Thomas J. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 6562745
    Abstract: This invention relates to an aging resistant SiC igniter having a second layer of recrystallized SiC within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, James Olson, Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 6474492
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic igniter devices, and more particularly, to such devices that contain two or more segregated hot zone regions that are electrically connected such as in series or in parallel. These devices are suitably incorporated in a variety of devices, including diesel fuel filters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, Sebastien R. Bardon
  • Publication number: 20020150851
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Publication number: 20020113051
    Abstract: The present invention relates to ceramic igniter devices, and more particularly, to such devices that contain two or more segregated hot zone regions that are electrically connected such as in series or in parallel. These devices are suitably incorporated in a variety of devices, including diesel fuel filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, Sebastien R. Bardon
  • Publication number: 20020010067
    Abstract: This invention relates to an aging resistant SiC igniter having a second layer of recrystallized SiC within the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, James Olson, Roger Lin
  • Patent number: 6297183
    Abstract: This invention relates to an aging resistant SiC igniter having a second layer of recrystallized SiC within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Ceramics and Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig A. Willkens, Normand P. Arsenault, James Olson, Roger Lin